Durham fight back after strong MCC start
Published: 24 March 2014

Lancashire opener Luis Reece made 85 to help MCC to a first innings lead over Durham on Day Two of the Champion County fixture in Abu Dhabi.

Close - Day Two

Durham 248 & 39/1

MCC 282 (Reece 85, Bell-Drummond 54; Harrison 5/60)

However, an evening collapse under the floodlights for MCC, inspired by a five wicket haul for Jamie Harrison, saw them lose seven wickets for 77 runs to be all out for 282, a lead of 34.

After a 57 run opening stand with England Test hopeful Sam Robson (28), 23-year old Reece then combined with 20-year-old Daniel Bell-Drummond (54) to take MCC to 169/1 and in a strong position to build a commanding lead.

However, when Bell-Drummond was dismissed lbw to Chris Rushworth shortly after bringing up his half-century, it began a Durham fightback.

England leg-spinner Scott Borthwick took the wickets of MCC captain and veteran of 104 Tests Virender Sehwag for 5, Reece for 85, and Sri Lanka wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene for 10 — eventually finishing with figures of 3/95.

The latter part of MCC’s innings belonged to Jamie Harrison, playing in just his eighth first-class game, who through a combination of the new ball, difficult batting conditions and loose shots, was able to pick up five wickets for 60.

Harrison took the last four wickets to fall as MCC were bundled out for a lead of just 34.

There was still time for eight overs before the close of play, with Durham edging back into the lead for the loss of one wicket, as Kyle Hogg bowled Keaton Jennings for 0.